A Final Farewell to HRM, IGWE BENARD EZE-OKAFOR (IKEM NANDO), the traditional ruler of “IKEM IVITE NANDO KINGDOM” OF ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

On Friday, January the 10^th, 2020, the OCI Foundation joined the family of the late His Royal Majesty, the Traditional Ruler of Ikem Nando, the late Igwe Bernard Eze-Okafor (Eze Uzu the 1^st), in mourning and celebrating the final “Ofala” Festival and farewell for the Monarch. The OCI Foundation was represented by its IT Officer, Mr Peter Okolie, and the Media Consultant, Mrs Njide Ezeonyejiaku.

A video clip of our final tribute to his is shown above. Full pictures of engagements with the late Igwe, including his times at the OCI Foundation’s 2018 IFOMSSA Awards Ceremony, as well as our involvement at the last farewell (Ofala) in his honour, are available by clicking HERE.

The event was hosted by Prince Uche Eze-Okafor, the first son of the late Igwe, and attended by many other other traditional rulers and dignitaries from Anambra North Senatorial District of Anambra State, Nigeria.

The late Monarch was a true friend of the OCI Foundation, and endorsed our educational activities in the short time we related with him. Along with other Igwe’s from Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria, he graced the 2^nd Edition of the IFOMSSA Awards Ceremony that was held on March 20^th, 2018, at Aguleri, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Two of the Igwe’s sons were also beneficiaries of the OCI Foundation’s Cyfed Undergraduate Awards in 2018. They are Mr Kingdom Alexander Okafor and Mr Bernard Okafor (Junior). Their Testimonials on receiving the Cyfed Scholarships can be found by clicking HERE.

The OCI Foundation awards 4 sets of scholarships that benefits lots of brilliant beneficiaries from less privileged backgrounds. These range from pupils in junior secondary schools, through to those in senior secondary schools, and then to students in Nigerian tertiary institutions. The beneficiaries are mainly from the Otuocha Educational Zone (Anambra East, Anambra West and Ayamelum Local Government Areas) of Anambra State, Nigeria, but a 5^th scholarship that will cover the whole of Anambra State of Nigeria will be introduced from February of 2020.

The late Igwe represents beneficiaries from one of the key benefiting communities of the OCI Foundation’s numerous activities.

May his gentle soul, rest in peace, Amen.